HYDE PARK – With a full arsenal of players and brand new facilities, Clark Montessori and coach Joe Berta are looking for some Miami Valley Conference mashups this fall.

Cincinnati Public Schools recently completed an 82-yard artificial turf practice field (65 with an endzone) adjacent to the campus on Erie Avenue. The Cougars will practice there and then continue to play home games at Withrow, whose field has also been redone.

“Mark will be a second-year starter at quarterback,” Berta said. “He’s a two-way player. He was first-team all-league as a defensive back. He has grown since last year and filled out a little bit.”

Last season, Secen shared the position some with Xavier Ferguson, who primarily ran the ball. The Sycamore transfer will now get a full senior season after gaining 533 yards and scoring six times in a little over half of Clark’s 2013 games.

This season, the plan is for Secen to stay behind center with Ferguson as running back.

“Mr. Ferguson’s got to get the ball,” Berta said. “He’s got to be a 20-25 carry-a-game guy because he’s a load. He’s about 215 with a 4.8 40. He’s got to learn to either get a move or avoid hits. He wants to be Mr. Truckstick all the time.”

Junior brothers Damian and Micah Blyth were limited last season by a variety of issues, but both produced. Micah played just three games but had seven catches for 80 yards; Damian played just one with a couple grabs for 60 yards. Both played as freshmen when Damian Blythe recorded 11 sacks on defense.

“Damian’s an incredible athlete,” Berta said. . “He’s put on 35 pounds of muscle. Micah’s up to 190 and he’ll play outside backer and carry the ball for us in the slot. They’re going to hold down on side of the defense for us.”

Other promising youngsters are sophomores Eric Prather at linebacker and Timone Andrew at halfback/defensive back.

“He (Andrew) broke two school records for us last year; longest play from scrimmage and longest kick return for a touchdown,” Berta said. “He’s got 4.5 speed on any given day.You can’t coach speed.”

In the MVC last season, Clark finished behind CHCA, Cincinnati Country Day and Summit Country Day and were tied with Cincinnati Christian and North College Hill.

“The school down the road (Summit) is our big rival,” Berta said. “They’ve lost a lot of talent that they’ve had playing for four years. For us, that’s a big one. That’s a very winnable game this year.”

Berta is also bullish on the season opener at Stargel Stadium with Hughes Aug. 29.

“They don’t give us a lot of respect because we’re a Cincinnati Public School, but don’t play in the CMAC,” Berta said.